7 Reasons to Live in Downtown Spartanburg, SC
Looking for that perfect place to live? Downtown Spartanburg, SC, is your answer. This pocket of the Hub City provides the lively entertainment and hustle and bustle of a big city in a more compact and friendly environment.
From the idyllic buildings and unique shops to the colorful arts scene and diverse roster of things to do, downtown Spartanburg, SC, is the oasis you didn’t know you were looking for – and everything you need is just a few steps away. Ahead, discover seven reasons you need to reassess where you live and move to downtown Spartanburg, SC.
In This Article
1. You can get to everything you need by foot.
Arguably the most popular reason so many residents enjoy living in downtown Spartanburg, SC, is its walkability. With the Mary Black Rail Trail connecting to downtown and well-maintained streets and sidewalks, downtown Spartanburg is ideal for walking to destinations, which eliminates the need for driving and finding parking.
“I think it’s so awesome that everything is really accessible,” says Aksel Wagner, a resident of downtown Spartanburg and head of commercial sales for Foam Insulation Co. “They closed the Morgan Square area to traffic, which is convenient. It’s also great for bouncing around and choosing my own adventure on the weekends.”
Walking everywhere is more than just convenient; it promotes a healthy lifestyle, which more people are prioritizing when choosing where to live. Opting to walk outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine instead of shuttling from place to place in a vehicle makes a huge difference when it comes to quality of life.
2. Safety is something you can count on.
For being the city’s central hub, downtown Spartanburg, SC, is extremely safe – a comforting thought, especially when factoring in its walkability.
“I feel safe downtown,” says resident Billy Dunlap, who is also the chief tourism development officer for OneSpartanburg Inc. “There’s not any part of downtown I don’t feel safe in. I feel like I could walk at any time of the day or night and feel safe at all times.”
There’s also a pretty visible police presence on bicycles around town, always ready to spring into action when needed.
3. You have access to plenty of restaurants and retail.
Of the many appealing places to walk to in downtown Spartanburg, SC, the exceptional dining and shopping options might just become your favorites. You can choose your own adventure every day, as the area has spots for every mood and craving.
“If you want Italian food, you’re going to Sophia’s,” Dunlap says. “There are so many great chef-owned restaurants in the area, and so many different types of restaurants.”
Other local favorites are Prices’ menswear, Delaney’s Irish Pub, a bistro called The Kennedy, coffee roaster Little River Roasting Co. and wine shop Bond Street Wines.
4. New things are on the horizon.
Big things are happening in downtown Spartanburg, SC, thanks to some large investments.
“It is really a historic time in downtown Spartanburg for development,” says Christopher George, communications manager for the City of Spartanburg. “We’ve got a minor league baseball stadium – a $430 million project – the largest single project in our downtown’s history.”
That project, known as Fifth Third Park, will also encompass office space, a new hotel, over 300 residential units and parking decks.
Also under construction is a new planetarium, which is expected to open in the summer of 2026. Attached to the downtown library, it promises to be a destination that will draw families and visitors alike.
5. You have cultural experiences at your fingertips.
The number of cultural venues in downtown Spartanburg, SC, is quite impressive. It offers 21 indoor and nine outdoor live performance venues, 43 galleries or exhibit spaces, 38 murals and other public art displays, and five museums. It’s easy to see why the South Carolina Arts Commission designated the downtown area a Cultural District.
“It’s largely attributed to the Chapman Cultural Center,” George says. “Our art museum is there, our science museum is there, our little theater is there, the ballet company – all of these things are under one roof that brings a real concentration of cultural amenities to downtown.”
It’s convenient and unusual to have access to such a wide variety of artistic venues. Whether you love attending concerts, perusing art galleries and museums or watching dance and theater performances, entertainment is right around the corner when you live in downtown Spartanburg, SC.
6. You are close to nature.
Downtown Spartanburg is conveniently connected to the Daniel Morgan Trail System, or “The Dan,” of which the rail trail is also part of since its recent extension.
“I live on the rail trail, and it goes all the way through downtown to Barnet Park,” Dunlap says. “If you go from one end to the other, it’s about 4.5 miles. I use it every day.”
The paved trails are perfect for walking and biking.
“With access to The Dan, I have access to everything,” Wagner says. “I can basically walk out the front door and go all the way out to the Converse Heights or Drayton Mills communities.”
7. Downtown offers a sense of community.
In an area that’s so walkable, it’s only natural to start recognizing the faces you pass daily. There’s a true sense of community when you fall into routines and engage with others who are doing the same.
“It really does foster a sense of community when you’re walking downtown and see the neighbors and say hello,” Wagner says. “The old mayor also lives downtown. You’ll see him the same time every day walking his little pup. You don’t get that accessibility to community leaders like you do here.”
This article is sponsored by OneSpartanburg Inc.